Digital television and channel editing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A digital television and a channel editing method are provided wherein various channel information is edited efficiently. In the channel edit method of the digital TV, the channel information stored according to a user&#39;s request is displayed on a multi-window. If the user selects a channel based on the multi-window, the channel selected by the user is tuned by a tuner and displayed as a moving picture. The user can edit the corresponding channel referring to the multi-window. In another embodiment, the user can edit the set favorite channel(s) separately. The broadcast status of all channels can be recognized almost instantaneously by viewing the multi-window displaying all the broadcast programs of multiple channels.

The present application claims the foreign priority benefit of KoreanPatent Application No. 2009-0100736 filed Oct. 22, 2009, and is a CIPapplication of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/421,710 file Apr.24, 2003, which claims the foreign priority benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 2002-78294 filed Dec. 10, 2002. The entire contents ofthe prior applications are herein fully incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a digital television (TV), and moreparticularly, to a digital television and a channel editing method forthe digital TV by which various channel information is editedefficiently.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, television (TV) is an apparatus that processes broadcastsignals. Each of the broadcast signals carries a broadcast program(e.g., broadcast contents) and allows the TV audience to watch thebroadcast program. The TV audience can get various kinds of informationfrom watching the TV. The TV is one of the most representative media ofmultimedia apparatuses developed. As the technology of multimediadevelops, digital manner is substituted for analog manner more and more.

A digital TV replays all the information of video, audio and data ofbroadcast programs processed digitally in the original video and audiosignals. Such a digital TV is immune to noise compared to an analog TV,needs a low transmission power, can employ the error correctiontechnology, and is easy to search, process and edit information.

Particularly, the number of channels of the current digital TV throughwhich broadcast programs are transmitted can be expanded as ten times asthat of analog channels. TV audience can view various informationthrough each of the channels so that the desire of the TV audience forcertain information can be satisfied completely.

As described above, the digital TV can search, process and edit thebroadcast programs (channels). The TV audience can register or deletethe broadcast programs according to their need or desire. Whenevernecessary, a TV viewer can register his or her favorite channel(s) usinga remote control and can watch the favorite channel at any time.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a general digital TV.

Referring to FIG. 1, the general digital TV includes a single tuner 1for selecting a broadcast signal, a demultiplexer 2 for demultiplexingthe broadcast signal selected by the tuner 1 (i.e., a transport streammultiplexed in time domain), an image processor 3 for performing imageprocessing so as to display the broadcast signal demultiplxed by thedemultiplexer 2, a display unit 4 (e.g., screen) for displaying theprocessed image signal, a key inputting unit 5 for inputting a user'srequest command and operation-related commands, and a microcomputer 6for outputting corresponding control signal(s) according to the commandinputted by the key inputting unit 5 and controlling the tuner 1, thedemultiplexer 2 and the image processor 3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart to illustrate a general channel editing method forthe digital TV of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, it is determined whether a user has selected achannel edit menu using a remote control or the like (S11). The channelpreviously selected by the user is displayed on the display unit 4before the user selects the channel edit menu (S14). In other words, thechannel that the user has selected before the digital TV is turned on ismemorized. Then, the selected channel is tuned and displayed on thedisplay unit 4 when the digital TV is turned on.

At step S11, when the user selects the channel edit menu, a channel editscreen 24 such as one shown in FIG. 3 is displayed (S17) on the displayunit 4. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, a channel map 22 identifyingthe current channel and all other channels using channel numbers inseries is displayed on the channel edit screen 24 (S20). The currentchannel may be the channel that is being broadcast now or the channelchanged by the user, and is identified using block highlights. Thebroadcast on the current channel is displayed in a channel broadcastarea 20 of the channel edit screen 24. Here, channel 2 is identified asthe currently selected channel and the program on channel 2 is displayedin the channel broadcast area 20. The channel numbers memorized by anautomatic tuning function or the like are not displayed in bold, whereasthe channel numbers that are not memorized are displayed in bold. Forexample, in FIG. 3, the channel numbers 2, 7, 13, 14, etc. are displayedin bold compared to other channel numbers 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, etc.According to this configuration, the user can see that the channelnumbers 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, etc. are the memorized channels or availablechannels. In addition, the channels set to be as favorite channels mayhave a predetermined mark (♡) next to their channel numbers.

Returning to FIG. 2, once the channel edit screen is displayed at stepsS17 and S20, it is determined whether the user has inputted anypredetermined key (S23) to select one of the bolded-channel numbers(memorized channels) from the channel edit screen. If the key for thedesired channel number has been inputted, the broadcast signalcorresponding to the channel number selected by the user is tuned anddisplayed in the channel broadcast area 20 of the channel edit screen(S26). Only one channel broadcast can be displayed in the area 20 at anygiven time. In the example of FIG. 3, the user has selected channel 2.Thus, the broadcast program on channel 2 is displayed in the broadcastarea 20 of the channel edit screen 24.

Then, it is determined whether a channel edit key (function) is inputtedby the user (S29). The process returns to step S26 if the channel editkey is not inputted.

But, if the channel edit key is inputted by the user, then the channeledit function according to the selected channel edit key is performed(S32). These channel edit functions may include memorizing and deletingselected channel number(s) and setting favorite channel(s).

When the channel edit function is completed, a channel end key isinputted by the user and the channel edit process is terminated (S35).

In the current broadcast, there are 69 wireless channels, 125 wirechannels and 60 DTV channels. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, thechannel edit screen 24 displays all the channel numbers (2-46), and thebrightness and darkness of channel numbers indicate whether or not abroadcast program is provided for the corresponding channel. Inaddition, predetermined marks are attached to those channel numbers ofthe user's favorite channels among the memorized channels so that theuser can quickly recognize the user's favorite channels from otherchannels.

The above-discussed channel editing method, however, has the followingproblems.

First, when the user selects a channel edit menu, in the channel editscreen all the channels are displayed in the form of channel numbers andthe broadcast image (or program) of only a single channel selected bythe user is displayed in the channel broadcast area 20 as shown in FIG.3. The broadcast situation/program of other channels then cannot berecognized at all unless the user moves through and selects each of thememorized channels one at a time from the channel edit screen. As aresult, the channel edit process cannot be efficiently achieved.

Second, since there exist numerous channels due to the variety of media,it is wasteful in time and energy for the user to roll through thechannel numbers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a digital televisionand channel editing method thereof that substantially obviates one ormore problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method forediting a plurality of channels for a display device, includesdisplaying broadcast signals for the plurality of channels in amulti-window in a channel edit mode; and editing the channels using themulti-window.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method forediting a plurality of favorite channels for a display device, includesdisplaying broadcast signals for the plurality of favorite channels in amulti-window in a favorite channel edit mode; and editing the favoritechannels using the multi-window.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method ofperforming and scheduling actions related to viewing and recordingtelevision programs for a display device, includes displaying a programlist having multi-windows respectively corresponding to a plurality ofchannels; indicating that at least one of the multi-windows has beenselected in response to a cursor command generated by a key input unit;displaying an action menu in response to a user command; indicating thatone of the scheduling actions has been selected in response to a cursorcommand; and scheduling an action chosen from the action menu inresponse to a selection command to the selected at least one of themulti-windows.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatusfor performing and scheduling actions related to viewing and recordingtelevision program, includes a display device including a screen; atleast one tuner for tuning a broadcast signal; at least signal processorthat processes a broadcast signal tuned by one of the tuners into asignal that can be displayed on a screen of the display device; a userinput unit that receives an input of a user; a microcomputer thatcontrols display of a program list having multi-windows respectivelycorresponding to a plurality of channels, controls indication that atleast one of the multi-windows has been selected in response to a cursorcommand generated by the user input unit, controls display of an actionmenu in response to a user command, controls indication that one of thescheduling actions has been selected in response to a cursor command,and controls schedule of an action chosen from the action menu inresponse to a selection command to the selected at least one of themulti-windows; a memory that stores a static picture for the pluralityof channels automatically tuned by the at least one tuner andpredetermined channel information; and an image processor that processesthe output of the signal processor to be implemented on themulti-windows, by control of the microcomputer.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a general digital TV;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a general channel editing method forthe digital TV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a channel edit screen of the digital TV ofFIG. 1 according to the method of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a digital TV according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a channel edit method of the digital TV according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a channel edit screen of the digital TVaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a digital TV according to a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital TV according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a method relating to a channel list screen composedof a multi-window according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a channel list screen according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 shows a channel list screen where contents set for a channel aredisplayed, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment changing the number of multi-window on thechannel list screen, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B relate to a method of arranging multi-windowsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 relates to a function of simple view according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 14 relates to a method of managing channels, using the channel listscreen including multi-windows for a plurality of channels according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing channels, usingthe channel list screen including multi-windows for a plurality ofchannels according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a method of providing a multi-window displaying aplurality of channels, using one tuner, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a method of providing a multi-window displaying aplurality of channels, using three or more tuners, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The same or like reference numerals are used to represent thesame or like elements in the drawings.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a digital TV according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the digital TV according to the first embodimentof the present invention includes: first and second tuners 101 and 102for tuning to different broadcast channels among the broadcast signalsinputted through one or more antennas according to a user's request; aswitching unit 103 for selectively outputting the broadcast signalstuned by the first and second tuners 101 and 102; a first signalprocessor 107 for processing the broadcast signal of the first tuner 101selected by the switching unit 103 into a signal that can be displayedon a display unit 110 such as a screen; a second signal processor 108for processing the broadcast signal of the second tuner 102 selected bythe switching unit 103 into a signal that can be displayed on thedisplay unit 110; a key input unit (user input unit) 104 for inputtingrequest commands of a user and any other inputs; a microcomputer(controller) 105 for outputting control signals in response to thecommands of the user (e.g., a channel edit command, a channel editexecution command, etc.); a storage or memory 106 for storing a standing(non-moving) picture of a channel automatically tuned by the secondtuner 102 and set channel information; an image processor 109 forprocessing output signals of the first and second signal processors 107and 108 according to the control signals of the microcomputer 105 toimplement the output signals in the form of a multi-window or a singlewindow; and a display unit 110 for outputting an image signal outputtedby the image processor 109. All these components of the digital TV areoperatively coupled.

The first tuner 101 tunes to only a single channel selected by the user(e.g., viewer). The second tuner 102 tunes automatically andsequentially (or in some predetermined order) to all other availablechannels, excluding the channel selected by the user, according to thecontrol signals of the microcomputer 105.

The switching unit 103 selectively supplies the output of the firsttuner 101 and the output of the second tuner 102 to the first signalprocessor 107 and the second signal processor 108, respectively. Inother words, the broadcast signal outputted by the first tuner 101 issupplied to the first signal processor 107. The broadcast signaloutputted by the second tuner 102 is supplied to the second signalprocessor 108.

The microcomputer 105 controls the image signals outputted by the firstand second signal processors 107 and 108 so that they are displayed onthe divided multi-window in response to a channel edit command inputtedby the key input unit 104. In addition, the microcomputer 105 controlsthe second tuner 102 to automatically tune to all available channelsother than the channel selected by the user through the key input unit104. In this example, the second tuner 102 sequentially tunes to each ofall other available channels for a certain time duration.

The operation of the digital TV as shown in FIG. 4A according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When the user selects a channel edit menu using the key input unit 104(e.g., a remote control) while viewing the TV, the microcomputer 105displays a multi-window screen in the form of a channel map having apredetermined number of sub-windows based on channel information storedin the memory 106 in response to the channel edit menu command inputtedby the user.

An example of such a multi-window screen for channel editing is shown inFIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, a multi-window 40 includes a list of allchannel numbers and a plurality of sub-windows 42 each corresponding toone of the channel numbers. The multi-window 40 displays a broadcastprogram for each of certain available channels in the correspondingsub-window. Various schemes (e.g., different colors, different marks,different fonts, etc.) can be used to distinguish channel numbers asneeded. For example, channel numbers can be displayed in differentcolors on the multi-window to distinguish the set (memorized) channelsfrom other channels. In FIG. 5, the sub-windows 42 each have a channelidentification 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 . . . 15-0 corresponding to differentchannels. The channel numbers 1-0, 3-0, 4-0, 5-0, 6-0, 7-0, etc. aredisplayed in red as the memorized channels but the channel numbers 2-0,8-0, 10-0, 11-0, 12-0, etc. are displayed in yellow as the unsetchannels. The yellow channels have no programs currently being displayed(e.g., because there is no broadcast signal received from suchchannels). In another example, the border of each sub-window may bedisplayed in a different color to indicate the set and unset channels.

The channel information of the broadcast signals for the digital TV canchange instantly. For example, a broadcast signal for channel 3 may becurrently available. But it can happen that the broadcast signal forchannel 3 is not detected or available after a certain time periodelapses. Accordingly, to determine the broadcast situation for eachchannel, each channel is tuned frequently.

While the multi-window is displayed as described above, if the useroperates an arrow key of the key input unit 104 to move the currentchannel selection to a different channel, the new channel selected istuned by the first tuner 101. All other channels are tuned automaticallyand sequentially (or in some predetermined order) by the second tuner102 for a predetermined time duration per channel. The tuned imagesignals are displayed on the corresponding sub-windows 42 of themulti-window 40.

According to the first embodiment of the digital TV of the presentinvention, the currently selected channel is successively tuned by thefirst tuner 101 and displayed in the corresponding sub-window as amoving picture. All other available channels are automatically andsequentially tuned by the second tuner 102 for a predetermined timeduration per channel. For example, in FIG. 5, if the currently selectedchannel is channel 10-0, then a moving picture of the program for theselected channel 10-0 is displayed in the sub-window for channel 10-0.At the same or different time, from all other available channels 1-0,3-0, 4-0, 5-0 . . . etc., a moving picture of the program for channel1-0 first will appear in the corresponding sub-window for a certainduration while all other available channels (except channels 1-0 and10-0) will display blank or same default image in their sub-windows.After the duration ends, the picture on the sub-window for channel 1-0will become static (frozen or non-moving status) while a moving pictureof the program for the next available channel 3-0 will appear in thecorresponding sub-window for a certain duration. After this durationends, the picture on the sub-window for channel 3-0 will become staticwhile a moving picture of the program for the next available channel 4-0will appear in the corresponding sub-window. This movingpicture-to-static picture switching procedure is repeated until theprograms of all available channels are displayed in the correspondingsub-windows in static form. This process of displaying the channelprograms for all available channels (except the currently selectedchannel) on the sub-windows is referred to herein as a “moving-to-staticpicture process”. During this process, the moving picture of the programfor the currently selected channel 10-0 is displayed continuously.

By viewing the multi-window as shown in FIG. 5, the user caninstantaneously and easily recognize the current broadcast situation ofall channels. Each available channel automatically tuned by the secondtuner 102 is displayed as a moving picture when it is tuned first, butis displayed as a standing (static) picture when the next availablechannel is tuned by the second tuner 102. This procedure is applied toall the channels tuned by the second tuner 102.

In more detail, FIG. 4B illustrates a channel edit method of a displaydevice according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Thismethod can be implemented in the digital TV of FIG. 4A or other types ofdisplay devices.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the digital TV is turned on, thebroadcast signal of a default channel or the channel selected previouslyby the user is displayed on the display unit 110 before the operation ofediting channels is performed.

Then, if the user selects a channel edit menu using the key input unit104 or some other means, the microcomputer 105 interprets this as theinput of a channel edit command by the user (S211).

If the channel edit command is not inputted by the user, themicrocomputer 105 continues to display the broadcast signal of thedefault channel or the channel selected previously by the user on thedisplay unit 110 (S214).

On the other hand, if the channel edit command (i.e., channel edit menu)is selected by the user, the microcomputer 105 displays a channel editscreen as shown in, e.g., FIG. 5 based on the channel information set inthe memory 106 (S217).

At this time, the broadcast signals for the channel previously viewed(before the selection of the channel edit menu) and all other memorized(available) channels are displayed according to the moving-to-staticpicture process discussed above on the channel edit screen in the formof a multi-window 40 including a plurality of sub-windows 42 based onthe set channel information (S220). In addition, a moving cursor ispositioned at one of the sub-windows corresponding to the channel thathas been viewed until the channel edit menu is selected.

Thereafter, the microcomputer 105 determines if a key or other userinput is inputted by the user (S223). If no key is inputted by the userfor some period, the process moves to step S241. If a user input or keyis inputted by the user, it is determined whether the inputted key is anarrow key (hereafter a first selection key) (S229). The first selectionkeys are used to roll through different channels from the channel editscreen and to select a desired channel.

If the first selection key is inputted (i.e., a new channel selected),the microcomputer 105 controls the first tuner 101 to tune to this newlyselected channel, so as to display the program of the newly selectedchannel on the corresponding sub-window 42 of the screen in movingpictures (S232). Accordingly, the channel selected by the user at stepS229 is tuned by the first tuner 101 to be displayed and all otherchannels are tuned by the second tuner 102 to be displayed.

If it is determined at step S229 that the key inputted by the user isnot an arrow key, it is determined whether or not the inputted key is anedit key (hereinafter a second selection key) (S235). The edit key isused to control channel editing functions from the channel edit screen.If the second selection key is inputted, the microcomputer 105 controlsto edit appropriate channel(s) according to the user's selections(S238). For instance, at step S238, a channel is memorized, deletedand/or set as a favorite channel according to the user's commands. Thischannel editing step is performed according to known techniques.

If the user inputs an edit end key, the channel edit process isterminated and the broadcast signal that has been viewed previously isdisplayed on the entire screen (without the multi-window) (S241).

In the related art, only the moving picture of a single channel selectedby the user is displayed in the channel broadcast area 20 of the editscreen 24. In the present invention, however, a multi-window is createdand displayed where programs on all available channels aresimultaneously or substantially simultaneously displayed on thecorresponding sub-windows. By viewing the multi-window then, the usercan almost instantaneously recognize which channel is available, whichchannel is a favorite channel, a deleted channel and a memorizedchannel, which channel is currently selected, etc.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a digital TV according to the secondembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a single tuneris used to tune to all available channels including any user selectedchannel.

Referring to FIG. 6, the digital TV according to the second embodimentof the present invention includes: a single tuners 201 for tuning todifferent broadcast channels among the broadcast signals inputtedthrough one or more antennas according to a user's request; a signalprocessor 207 for processing the broadcast signals of the tuner 201 intosignals that can be displayed on a display unit 110; a key input unit(user input unit) 104 for inputting request commands of a user and anyother inputs; a microcomputer (controller) 105 for outputting controlsignals in response to the commands of the user (e.g., a channel editcommand, a channel edit execution command, etc.); a storage or memory106 for storing standing (non-moving) pictures of channels tuned by thetuner 201 and set channel information; an image processor 109 forprocessing output signals of the signal processor 207 (e.g., undercontrol of the microcontroller 105) to implement the output signals inthe form of a multi-window or a single window; and a display unit 110for outputting an image signal outputted by the image processor 109. Allthese components of the digital TV are operatively coupled.

In the second embodiment, when a user selects a channel edit menu, thetuner 201 tunes sequentially (or in some predetermined order) to allavailable channels including the currently selected channel by the user.The tuner 201 tunes sequentially to all available (memorized) channelsso that the programs on those channels are displayed on thecorresponding sub-windows of a multi-window first in moving pictures andthen in static pictures for a time duration. For instance, the tuner 201tunes to a first channel to display the first channel program in movingpictures on the corresponding sub-window. Then after a certain timeduration has passed, the tuner 201 tunes to a second (next) channel todisplay the first channel program in static pictures on thecorresponding sub-window and to display the second channel program inmoving pictures on the corresponding sub-window. This is repeated forall available channels. If the user selects a particular channel fromthe channel edit screen, then the tuner 201 tunes to the selectedchannel so that the selected channel program is displayed in movingpictures on the corresponding sub-window, and all other availablechannels are displayed in static pictures on the correspondingsub-windows. At times where there is no channel selection, then thetuner 201 can be tuned to a designated channel (e.g., the last or firstchannel on the channel edit screen) so that the program on thedesignated channel is displayed in moving pictures while all otherchannels' programs are displayed in static pictures. All otheroperations (e.g., channel edit operations, etc.) are performed in thesame manner as the first embodiment.

The microcomputer 105 controls the image signals outputted by the signalprocessor 207 so that they are displayed on the divided multi-window inresponse to a channel edit command or channel selection command inputtedby the key input unit 104.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital TV according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the digital TV according to the third embodiment ofthe present invention includes: a plurality of tuners 301 each fortuning to a different broadcast channel among the broadcast signalsinputted through one or more antennas according to a user's request; aswitching unit 303 for selectively outputting the broadcast signalstuned by the tuners 301; a plurality of signal processors 307 forprocessing the broadcast signals of the tuners 301 selected by theswitching unit 303 into signals that can be displayed on a display unit110; a key input unit (user input unit) 104 for inputting requestcommands of a user and any other inputs; a microcomputer (controller)105 for outputting control signals in response to the commands of theuser (e.g., a channel edit command, a channel edit execution command,etc.) and controlling the elements of the digital TV; a storage ormemory 106 for storing standing (non-moving) pictures of channels tunedby the tuner 301 and set channel information; an image processor 109 forprocessing output signals of the signal processors 307 according to thecontrol signals of the microcomputer 105 to implement the output signalsin the form of a multi-window or a single window; and a display unit 110for outputting an image signal outputted by the image processor 109. Allthese components of the digital TV are operatively coupled. The tuners301 are also referred to as a multi-tuner. If desired, the switchingunit 303 may be omitted so that the signals from the tuners 301 aresimultaneously supplied and processed by the signal processors 307,respectively, so that they can be displayed on the sub-windowssimultaneously in moving pictures.

In this embodiment, the tuners 301 are configured to tune to allavailable channels, respectively, under control of the microcomputer105. When a user selects a channel edit menu, each of the tuners 301tunes to a different available channel such that the programs on allavailable channels are tuned simultaneously and displayed (selectivelyor almost simultaneously) in moving pictures on the correspondingsub-windows of the multi-window at a given time. If the user selects aparticular channel from the channel edit screen, then the device can beconfigured to continuously display the program on the selected channelin moving pictures while displaying the programs on all other channelsin static pictures. In another example, when the user selects aparticular channel from the channel edit screen, all the programs arecontinuously displayed on the sub-windows in moving pictures, but theselected channel program is identified to the user using some knownmeans such as with marks, highlights, bolding, etc.

In accordance with fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments of the presentinvention, the broadcast programs only for the favorite channels aredisplayed in the sub-windows of the multi-window. That is, the fourth,fifth and sixth embodiments correspond respectively to the first, secondand third embodiments of the invention discussed above, except that theprograms and channels displayed on the sub-windows of a multi-window areall user's favorite channels and not just available channels.

In accordance with the fourth embodiment, the favorite channel selectedby the user is tuned by the first tuner 101 and displayed as a movingpicture. All the other favorite channels not selected by the user aretuned automatically and sequentially (or in some order) by the secondtuner 102 for a certain duration per channel and displayed first asmoving pictures and then standing pictures according to themoving-to-static pictures process.

As an example, FIG. 8 illustrates a channel edit method of a displaydevice according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Thismethod can be implemented in the digital TV of FIG. 4A or other suitabledevice, and differs from the method of FIG. 4B in that this method ofFIG. 8 involves displaying only the favorite channels on the sub-windowsof the multi-window.

Referring to FIG. 8, it is determined whether a user selects a favoritechannel menu (S311). If the user selects the favorite channel menu, thefavorite channel list set in the memory 106 is displayed in the form ofa multi-window including a plurality of sub-windows (S314). Forinstance, all the programs of the favorite channels are displayed on thecorresponding sub-windows of the multi-windows. A default favoritechannel or previously viewed favorite channel is shown continuously inmoving pictures on the corresponding sub-window. All other favoritechannels are automatically and sequentially (or in some order) displayedon the corresponding sub-windows according to the moving-to-staticpicture process. That is, one favorite channel program is shown inmoving pictures for a certain duration while the previous adjacentfavorite channel program is shown in static pictures, and so on. Allnon-selected favorite channel programs are displayed in this manner ofthe moving-to-static picture process.

In this example, if the channel, which was viewed before the favoritechannel menu selection is made, is in the set favorite channel list, amoving cursor is positioned at that channel. If the channel, which wasviewed before the favorite channel menu selection is made, is not in theset favorite channel list, a moving cursor is positioned at the leftupper sub-window or some designated sub-window of the multi-window.

Then, it is determined whether or not the user inputs any key (userinput) S317). If the user inputs a key, it is determined whether or notthe key is an arrow key used to roll through the different favoritechannels on the favorite channel edit menu and to select a desiredfavorite channel from the list of favorite channels (S323).

If the key inputted by the user is an arrow key, a new favorite channelselected by the user using the arrow key is tuned to by the first tuner101 and displayed as a moving picture in the corresponding sub-window ofthe multi-window (S326).

On the other hand, if the key inputted by the user is not an arrow key,it is determined whether the inputted key is an edit key (S329). If theedit key is inputted, selected channel(s) are edited (e.g.,memorized/deleted, etc.) (S332).

On the other hand, if the user does not input any key at step S317, theprocess moves to step S335. At step S335, it is determined whether afavorite channel edit end key/command is inputted by the user. If yes,then the favorite channel edit operation is terminated; but if no, thenthe process returns to step S317.

The fifth embodiment of the present invention is identical to the secondembodiment, except that all channels displayed on the sub-windows arethe user's favorite channels. The fifth embodiment can be implementedinto the device of FIG. 6 or other suitable device.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, when a user selects afavorite channel edit menu, the tuner 201 tunes sequentially (or in somepredetermined order) to all favorite channels of a user including thecurrently selected favorite channel (or previously viewed favoritechannel) by the user to display a favorite channel edit screen. Thefavorite channel edit screen is identical to the screen shown in FIG. 5,except that all channels shown therein are the user's favorite channels.The tuner 201 tunes sequentially to all favorite channels of the user sothat the programs on those favorite channels are displayed on thecorresponding sub-windows of a multi-window first in moving pictures andthen in static pictures for a time duration. For instance, the tuner 201tunes to a first favorite channel to display the first favorite channelprogram in moving pictures on the corresponding sub-window. Then after acertain time duration has passed, the tuner 201 tunes to a second (next)favorite channel to display the first favorite channel program in staticpictures on the corresponding sub-window and to display the secondfavorite channel program in moving pictures on the correspondingsub-window. This is repeated for all favorite channels of the user.

If the user selects a particular favorite channel from the favoritechannel edit screen, then the tuner 201 tunes to the selected favoritechannel so that the selected favorite channel program is displayed inmoving pictures on the corresponding sub-window, and all other favoritechannels are displayed in static pictures on the correspondingsub-windows. At times where there is no channel selection, then thetuner 201 can be tuned to a designated favorite channel (e.g., the lastor first favorite channel on the favorite channel edit screen) so thatthe program on the designated channel is displayed in moving pictureswhile all other favorite channels' programs are displayed in staticpictures. All other operations (e.g., channel edit operations, etc.) areperformed in the same manner as the second embodiment.

The sixth embodiment of the present invention is identical to the thirdembodiment of the present invention, except that all channels displayedon the sub-windows are a user's favorite channels. The sixth embodimentcan be implemented into the device of FIG. 7 or other suitable device.

In the sixth embodiment, the tuners 301 (multi-tuner) are configured totune to all favorite channels of a user, respectively, under control ofthe microcomputer 105. When a user selects a favorite channel edit menu,each of the tuners 301 tunes to a different favorite channel of the usersuch that the programs on all the user's favorite channels are tunedsimultaneously and displayed (selectively or almost simultaneously) inmoving pictures on the corresponding sub-windows of the multi-window ona favorite channel edit screen, at a given time. The favorite channeledit screen is identical to the screen shown in FIG. 5, except that allchannels shown therein are the user's favorite channels.

If the user selects a particular favorite channel from the favoritechannel edit screen, then the device can be configured to continuouslydisplay the program on the selected favorite channel in moving pictureswhile displaying the programs on all other favorite channels in staticpictures. In another example, when the user selects a particularfavorite channel from the favorite channel edit screen, all the programson all the favorite channels are continuously displayed on thesub-windows in moving pictures, but the selected favorite channelprogram is identified to the user using some known means such as withmarks, highlights, bolding, etc.

In the above discussed embodiments of the present invention, when achannel program is first displayed in moving pictures on thecorresponding sub-window and then switched to static pictures after acertain duration, this duration can be short enough such that the userviews programs on all available/favorite channels simultaneously oralmost simultaneously on the sub-windows of a multi-window. Also, asshown in FIG. 5, different tabs 50 can be provided to display programsor videos from different sources. FIG. 5 shows programs from a TV sourceas indicated by the activated “TV” tab 50.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible tochange and utilize in various ways the channel edit screen composed of amulti-window shown in FIG. 5. That is, as described below, it ispossible to display a channel list screen in the same way as the channeledit screen composed of the multi-window as shown in FIG. 5 and thenvariously operate each of the channels or the display screen. Thechannel list screen is a screen that displays a plurality of channel ina multi-window, in the same way as the channel edit screen.

FIG. 9 shows a channel list screen composed of a multi-window accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. When a user selects thechannel list screen while watching a channel, that is, while the programof one channel is displayed in the entire screen, the channel listcomposed of a multi-window, as shown in FIG. 9, can be displayed.

A tuned screen of each channel is displayed in each window of themulti-window to check the broadcast situation for each channel of thedigital TV. The tuned screen of each channel may be frequently updated.

When all of the available channels cannot be displayed simultaneously onthe screen, a user can select enhance taps 91 displayed at the left andright sides of the screen to display multi-windows for other channels.

Similar to the channel edit screen shown in FIG. 5, while themulti-window is displayed as described above, if the user operates anarrow key of the key input unit 104 to move the current channelselection to a different channel, the new channel selected is tuned bythe first tuner 101. All other channels are tuned automatically andsequentially (or in some predetermined order) by the second tuner 102for a predetermined time duration per channel. The tuned image signalsare displayed on the corresponding sub-windows of the multi-window.

Further, each current channel that is automatically tuned by the secondtuner 102 is displayed as a moving picture, but is displayed as a staticpicture, when another channel is tuned by the second tuner 102 inaccordance with a predetermined cycle.

A channel management menu 81 may be displayed on the channel list screenof FIG. 9. Depending on embodiments, a corresponding button for thechannel management menu 81 may be provided on a remote control or thekey input unit, without displaying the channel management menu 81 on thescreen.

When a user selects a channel edit menu 82 on the screen shown in FIG.9, the channel list screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 10. The channellist screen of FIG. 10 may have the same configuration as the channeledit screen of FIG. 5, and a plurality of multi-windows are displayed,as in FIG. 5. After the channel list screen is displayed, a user canselect one channel 87 in the multi-window and operates various functionsfor the channel, such as locking the channel, recording, watching,reserve record, reserve watching, and series record of the channel, aswell as memorizing channel, deleting, and setting a favorite channel,which was described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5.

For example, when a user selects one multi-window from the channel listscreen of FIG. 10, a popup menu 85 including a plurality of executablefunctions is displayed. The user can manage the channel by selecting oneof the popup menu 85. Depending on embodiments, the user can perform thecorresponding function using a remote control and a key button of theTV, without displaying the popup menu 85 on the screen.

The locking channel is a function of preventing a user from watching achannel without inputting a previously set personal code, andaccordingly, may be used to prevent children from accessing adultchannels. The recording is a function of immediately recording thecurrent broadcast program of a channel. When the watching is selected,the current selected channel 87 is displayed on the entire screen. Thereserve record is a function of recording a desired program of aselected channel at a predetermined time. The reserve watching is afunction of changing the current channel to a selected channel, when theTV is turned on, and when the TV is turned off, automatically turning onthe TV and then changing the current channel to a selected channel, at apredetermined time. The series record is a function of recording aseries program that is periodically broadcasted. When the series recordis selected, the entire series of a current broadcast program on thechannel is recorded. When the close is selected, the popup menu 85disappears. When the channel edit end 83 is selected from the channeledit screen, the channel list screen of FIG. 9 is returned.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, channel editinformation set in other ways different from that of FIG. 10 can bedisplayed, when the channel list is displayed. As shown in FIG. 11, itis possible to display ‘recording’, ‘series reserve record completed’,‘short program reserve record completed’, ‘watching reserve completed’etc., using a small icon at a side of each multi-window. Further, whenthe digital TV is provided with, a plurality of tuners, e.g., twotuners, one may be used for tuning a channel for watching and the othermay be used for tuning a channel or recording. In this configuration,when there are several programs reserved to record and the record timesoverlap, recording may or may not be performed. Accordingly, it ispossible to display information on the overlap of reserve record time onthe channel list screen.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user can controlthe number of multi-windows displayed on the channel list screen, athis/her option. When a user selects ‘change number’ 84 from the screenshown in FIG. 9, a screen with reduced number of multi-windows isdisplayed, as shown in FIG. 12A. Further, when the ‘change number’ 84 isselected again from the screen of FIG. 12A, a screen with furtherreduced number of multi-windows is displayed, as shown in FIG. 12B.Depending on embodiments, it is possible to implement a configurationsuch that the screens of FIGS. 9, 12A, and 12B are toggled everytime the‘change number’ 84 is selected. The number of multi-windows which isdisplayed by toggling can be changed in accordance with embodiments.Further, it is possible to achieve a configuration that provides amulti-window having a size that a user wants, by enlarging the size ofeach window to fit the screen, everytime the number of multi-windows isreduced. It is possible to change the number of multi-windows, using theremote control of a key button of the TV, without necessarily using the‘change number’ menu 84 on the screen.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the order ofmulti-windows displayed on the channel list screen can be arranged. Whena ‘arrange channel’ 86 is selected as shown in FIG. 13, a popup menu 93is displayed. When the arrangement reference (or choice) in the popupmenu 93 is selected, the multi-windows are arranged and displayed,complying with the reference (or choice). The arrangement reference (orchoice) of the popup menu 93 may be channel number, whether it is afavorite channel, channel recently watched, channel recently notwatched, etc. It is possible to arrange the multi-windows, using theremote control or a key button of the TV, without using the popup menu93 on the screen.

According to an embodiment, it is possible to display the screen of achannel that a user is currently watching and display multi-windows overthe screen in a PIP way (picture in picture). For example, when a userselects ‘simple view’ 88, the screen of the channel that the user iscurrently watching is displayed on the entire screen, whilemulti-windows 97 that are the screens tuned for other channels can bedisplayed over a portion of the entire screen in the PIP way. That is,the multi-windows 97 overlap on the screen of the channel that the useris currently watching. The multi-windows 97 may be displayedtranslucently so that the portion of the entire screen with themulti-windows 97 is not entirely blocked. Not only at the lower end ofthe screen shown in FIG. 14, the multi-windows 97 may be displayed atother positions of the screen 95. When all multi-windows for all thechannels cannot be displayed on one screen, it is possible to displayenhance tabs 99 at the left and right sides and multi-windows, forexample, for other channel are displayed, to enable the user to selectthe enhance tabs 99.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing channels, usingthe channel list screen including multi-windows for a plurality ofchannels according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When a user selects the channel list menu in step S401, the channel listscreen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed in step S403. The TV is onstandby while displaying the picture signal of the channel that has beenselected, until the user selects the channel list menu.

In step S404, it is determined whether there is a key input, with thechannel list screen displayed (S404). Channel is tuned while the channeltuned by the second tuner is moved at a predetermined period, when thereis no key input. Thereafter, the process is finished, when the channelmanagement end key is operated in step S410.

When there is a key input in step S404, it is determined in step S406whether the key input is an arrow key input, that is, whether a userselects a multi-window for another channel, and then when it is thearrow key input, the multi-window selected by the user is tuned anddisplayed in step S407. Thereafter, the process is finished, when thechannel management end key is operated in step S410.

When it is determined that the key input is not the arrow key input instep S406, it is further determined whether the key input is for thechannel management menu in step S408, that is, it is determined that thekey input is which one of channel edit, change of the displayedmulti-window, channel arrangement, and a PIP display of multi-window,and then the corresponding management function is performed in stepS409. Thereafter, the process is finished, when the channel managementend key is operated in step S410.

When the key input in step S408 is not for selecting the channelmanagement menu, it stands by for the next key input.

The embodiments described above may be performed for a portion ofchannels, not all the channels. For example, the channel management maybe performed only for favorite channels. It is possible to display achannel list screen composed of multi-windows for the favorite channelsand perform the management to each channel.

In the embodiments described above, it was described to provide themulti-window displaying a plurality of channels according to anembodiment of the present invention, using two tuners. However,depending on embodiments, it is possible to provide screens tuned for aplurality of channels, using one tuner or three or more tuners.

FIG. 16 illustrates a method of providing a multi-window displaying aplurality of channels, using one tuner, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

As shown in FIG. 16, when a channel list display menu is selected, thechannel list screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and channel tuningis performed for each multi-window 71 sequentially or in a predeterminedorder. Similar to the description about FIG. 7 or 9, the multi-window 71that is being tuned is displayed as a moving picture, and themulti-window of a channel that has been completely tuned may bedisplayed as a static picture. When a user operates the arrow key or thechannel selection key while a channel is being tuned, the channelselected by the user can be tuned, regardless of the original order ofchannel-tuning. When there is one tuner, the switching unit 103 isunnecessary in the configuration of the TV of FIG. 4A, and those skilledin the art can easily understand changes in the structure of the TV dueto the reduction of the tuner.

FIG. 17 illustrates a method of providing a multi-window displaying aplurality of channels, using three or more tuners, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

For example, assuming that a TV is provided with three tuners, when achannel list menu is selected, the channel list screen as shown in FIG.8 is displayed, and at the same time, the channels for threemulti-windows 72 are tuned. The channel-tuning may be performedsequentially or in a predetermined order. Similarly, the multi-window 71that is being tuned is displayed as a moving picture, and themulti-window of a channel that has been completely tuned may bedisplayed as a static picture. The more tuners there are, the moreadvantageous it is in being able to provide a large number of screensthat are tuned.

Further, one of the three tuners is used to keep providing the screen ofthe channel selected by a user, and the other two tuners may be used totune the other channels.

Using three tuners requires an additional signal processor, other thanthe first and second signal processors in FIG. 4A, and those skilled inthe art can easily understand the technological features due to theincrease of decrease of the tuner.

As mentioned above, the digital TVs and the channel edit methodsaccording to the present invention have the following advantages.

First, since a channel edit screen is configured in a multi-window, thebroadcast status of all relevant channels including the selectedchannels, favorite channels and unavailable channels can be recognizedalmost instantaneously.

Second, the previously memorized channel can be compared with thecurrently memorized channel for the user to recognize more easilywhether or not the broadcast is on.

Third, since the broadcast signal of each available channel is displayedon the multi-window, the user can recognize quickly those channelswithout the broadcast signals.

Fourth, in accordance with the fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments ofthe present invention, since only the favorite channels except for allother channels can be edited, the user can set more easily the user'sfavorite channel(s) suitable for his or her request or preferences.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A method of performing and scheduling actions related to viewing andrecording television programs for a display device, the methodcomprising: displaying a program list having multi-windows respectivelycorresponding to a plurality of channels; indicating that at least oneof the multi-windows has been selected in response to a cursor commandgenerated by a key input unit; displaying an action menu in response toa user command; indicating that one of the scheduling actions has beenselected in response to a cursor command; and scheduling an actionchosen from the action menu in response to a selection command to theselected at least one of the multi-windows.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein one of the plurality of channels corresponds to the selected atleast one of the multi-windows.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theaction menu includes at least one of memorizing a channel, deleting achannel, setting a favorite channel, locking a channel, watching achannel, recording a channel reserve recording a channel, reservewatching a channel, and series recording a channel.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising performing an action chosen from the actionmenu in response to a selection command to the selected at least one ofthe multi-windows.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the performing ofthe action from the action menu includes performing at least one ofediting a channel, changing a displayed multi-window, arranging achannel, and displaying a multi-window in PIP.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the displaying of the multi-window in PIP includes: displayingthe channel that a user is currently watching on an entire screen; andoverlapping the multi-windows for the other channels that are tuned overa portion of the screen.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:displaying the scheduling of the action chosen from the action menu in amulti-window for each channel.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein thedisplaying of the scheduling includes at least one of recording, reserverecording, reserve watching, and overlapping another reserve recordtime.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a visualindicator in the selected at least one of the multi-windows of theprogram list, and the visual indicator indicates a result of thescheduling of the action chosen from the action menu.
 10. An apparatusfor performing and scheduling actions related to viewing and recordingtelevision program, the apparatus comprising: a display device includinga screen; at least one tuner for tuning a broadcast signal; at leastsignal processor that processes the broadcast signal tuned by the atleast one of the tuner into a signal that can be displayed on the screenof the display device; a user input unit that receives an input of auser; a microcomputer that controls display of a program list havingmulti-windows respectively corresponding to a plurality of channels,controls indication that at least one of the multi-windows has beenselected in response to a cursor command generated by the user inputunit, controls display of an action menu in response to a user command,controls indication that one of the scheduling actions has been selectedin response to a cursor command, and controls schedule of an actionchosen from the action menu in response to a selection command to theselected at least one of the multi-windows; a memory that stores astatic picture for the plurality of channels automatically tuned by theat least one tuner and predetermined channel information; and an imageprocessor that processes the output of the signal processor to beimplemented on the multi-windows, by control of the microcomputer. 11.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one tuner includes twotuners, one of the two tuners tunes a channel that a user is watchingand the other of the two tuners automatically tunes another channel. 12.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein one of the plurality of channelscorresponds to the selected at least one of the multi-windows.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the action menu includes at least one ofmemorizing a channel, deleting a channel, setting a favorite channel,locking a channel, watching a channel, recording a channel, reserverecording a channel, reserve watching a channel, and series recording achannel.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the microcomputerfurther controls performance of an action chosen from the action menu inresponse to a selection command to the selected at least one of themulti-windows.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the performance ofthe action chosen from the action menu includes performance of at leastone of editing a channel, changing a displayed multi-window, arranging achannel, and displaying a multi-window in PIP.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the displaying of the multi-window in PIP includes:displaying the channel that the user is currently watching on the entirescreen of the display device; and overlapping the multi-windows for theother channels that are tuned over a portion of the screen.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the microcomputer further controlsdisplay of the scheduling of the action chosen from the action menu in amulti-window for each channel.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, whereinthe display of the scheduling includes at least one of recording,reserve recording, reserve watching, and overlapping another reserverecord time.
 19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the microcomputerfurther controls display of a visual indicator in the selected at leastone of the multi-windows of the program list, and the visual indicatorindicates a result of the scheduling of the action chosen from theaction menu.